NSBB reiterates appeal to conserve Nagaland’s biodiversity

May 22, 2024 13 Views No Comment

Kohima, May 22 (MExN): The Nagaland Biodiversity Board (NSSB) today reiterated its appeal to all stakeholders in the State to come forward for biodiversity conservation to address issues of climate change, ecological/water/food security, etc.

Human beings and biodiversity have an intrinsic relationship. Our survival is totally dependent on biodiversity, stated a message issued by the Nagaland Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) and NSBB Member Secretary Supongnukshi on the eve of the International Day for Biological Diversity (IBD), which falls on 22 May.

Ensure the availability of biological resources for future generations, the NSBB added, in an appeal to village authorities, biodiversity management committees, civil society organisations, youth, and all other stakeholders.
As per the Board, despite its small size, Nagaland boasts a remarkably rich biodiversity comprising diverse forests, flora, and fauna.
Positioned in the Global Biodiversity Hotspot of the Indo-Malayan Region and the Eastern Himalayan endemic bird area, its unique ecological features stem from varied climatic conditions, elevation gradients, and vegetation types, it said.

The State harbours over 2,400 species of angiosperms, nine gymnosperm species, and more than 360 species of orchids, including rare varieties like the Tiger orchid, it informed.

With a significant portion of its forests being community-owned, the local population holds a crucial role in biodiversity conservation, the NSBB added.

Meanwhile, underscoring the need for conservation, the Board stated that all the basic needs of humans—food and shelter—are met from biodiversity, directly and indirectly.

Humans cannot exist without biodiversity, but vice versa is very possible. The Earth is the only liveable planet in the universe, and biodiversity plays an important role in addressing various challenges of its ecosystem, it added.

The NSBB further noted that, taking into account the importance of biodiversity for the survival and wellness of human beings, world leaders signed the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which came into force on 29 December 1993, with India as one of the 175 country signatories. In December 2000, the UN General Assembly adopted 22 May as the IBD to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues, and it has been observed annually since then.

The theme for 2024 is “Be Part of the Biodiversity Plan”, which is in connection to the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) at COP 15. On the completion of one year of the adoption of the GBF on 19 December 2023, the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) launched “The Biodiversity Plan” campaign, aiming to communicate and promote the four Goals and the 23 targets of the framework to the world.

Accordingly, to achieve the stated goals and targets of biodiversity conservation, the NSBB called for the collaboration of all across borders, sectors, and disciplines to protect, conserve, and sustainably utilise biodiversity, which will result in restoring ecosystems and bringing back the balance of nature.